Thanjavur Assembly Constituency Election Postponement :

The General election to the Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu was called by the Governor of Tamil Nadu on 22nd April, 2016, by his notification of the said date under section 15 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

On the same date, the Election commission also issued notification under sections 30 and 56 0f the said Act fixing, interalia, 16th May, 2016, as the day on which a poll shall be taken in 774-Thanjatur Assembly Constituency, among others.

2. From the very early stages of the notification of the election, the Commission started receiving complaints in large numbers with regard to the distribution of money and other gifts in the form of consumable items, etc., to the electors of the said 174-Thanjalur Assembly Constituency by the candidates and political parties in the election fray.
** As a counter move to check these illegal activities of the candidates and political parties, the Commission took several proactive steps to curb these activities. By way of illustration, three Static Surveillance Teams, six Flying Squad Teams and two Video Surveillance Teams, headed by senior officers, were deployed in the constituency to keep a constant vigil on the above mentioned unlawful activities subsequently said teams were doubled from 29th April,2016 and from 1ltr May,2016 onwards 58 FSTs were pressed into service..
** In addition, a senior officer belonging to Indian Revenue Service was appointed as Expenditure Observer by the Commission under section 20B of the said Act, who was assisted by an Assistant Expenditure observer in the constituency.
** The above apart, the Income Tax Investigation Directorate and other enforcement agencies were also involved to keep a close watch on the movement of money and other gift items capable of being used for the inducement of electors.

3. On 13.05.2016, the commission received report from its Expenditure Observer seeking urgent necessary action and the report is as under- On 13.5.20’16, based on a tip off, the FST went to a lodge, named Muthu Lodge, in Thanjavur.
** lt was informed that Money was being distributed at that place.
** The FST seized Rs. 5 Lakhs from the terrace of the lodge.
** Many rubber bands were found lying there indicating distribution of huge cash.
** The FST was asked to collect them as evidence and to search for more cash.
** Four hand written papers were also found (Attached as Annexure “A” for ready reference).
** On first three pages details of wards with areas and names of few people were written.
** On the fourth page, at the right top corner, a figure of 3500,000 was written.
** Below that two names, ‘saravanan’ and ‘Manohar’ were written’
** After these names, few figures were written.
** The FIR was lodged against all the persons whose names were written on these papers.
** The SP was requested to identify all the persons and after interrogation, to recover the money distributed to them.
** He was also requested to identify the persons mentioned as ‘saravanan’ and ‘Manohar’ who appeared to be key persons and to interrogate on priority.
** lt was found that Saravanan was the son of the Owner of lodge and was present in the lodge at the time of FST’s action.
** He was taken into custody by the police for interrogation.
** The other person, Manohar, could not be traced.

NOTIFICATION :
whereas, the General election to the Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu was called by the Governor of Tamil Nadu on 22nd April, 201 6, by his notification of the said date under section 15 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951; and

Whereas, on the same date, the Election Commission also issued notification under sections 30 and 56 of the said Act fixing, interalia, 16fr May, 2016, as the day on which a poll shall be taken in l74-Thanjavur Assembly Constituency, among others; and

Whereas, the Commission has, for the reasons stated in its order No’ 464 TN-LNZO16, dated 15th May, 2016 (copy annexed hereto as Annexure), deferred the date of poll in the said l74-Thanjavur Assembly Constituency, scheduled to be taken on the 16’h May,2016 (Monday), and has directed that the poll in the said constituency shall be taken on 23’o May, 2016(Monday) ;

Now, therefore, the Election commission hereby directs, under Article 324 of the Constitution and sections 30 and 153 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, read with Section 21 of the General Clauses Act, 1897 and all other Dowers enablins it in this behalf, that its notification No. 464/TN-L N2016. shall be amended to the following effect

In paragraph (A), for the existing clauses (d) and (e), the following clauses shall be substituted
(i) the l6th May, 2016 (Monday), as the date on which the poll shall be taken in all Assembly Constituencies in the State of Tamil Nadu, except 1 34-Aravakurichi Assembly Constituency and 174-Thanjavur A’C;

(ii) the 23rd May,20l6 (Monday), as the date on which the poll shall be taken in l34-Aravakurichi Assembly Constituency and 174-Thanjavur A.C;

(iii) 21st May,2O16 (Saturday), as the date before which the elections shall be completed in all Assembly Constituencies in the State of Tamil Nadu, except 134-Aravakurichi Assembly Constituency and I 74-Thanjavur A.C;

(iv) 31st May, 2016 (Monday), as the date before which the election shall be completed in 134-Aravakurichi Assembly Constituency and 174-Thanjavur A.C.